Extendable sunshade for child car seat

ABSTRACT

An all weather sunshade system for infant carriers includes a main sunshade that is pivotally attached to the infant carrier and an integrally provided sunshade extension. The main sunshade is selectively deployable and includes curved semi-rigid members which support a fabric material and includes a front edge. A rear edge of the sunshade extension is secured along the front edge of the main sunshade structure and is sized and shaped so that it may be selectively drawn forward, when the main sunshade is fully deployed, and secured around a front portion of the infant carrier. In doing so, the sunshade extension remains taut following the contours defined by the shape of the front edge of the main sunshade and the perimeter shape of the front edge of the infant carrier.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

Applicant hereby claims priority based on provisional patent applicationNo. 60/797,953, filed May 5, 2006 and entitled: “Extendable Sunshade forChild Car Seat”. The content of the above-identified provisional patentapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

This patent application generally relates to devices for child care, andmore particularly, to such devices that help protect a child from theelements during transportation.

b) Description of the Prior Art

It is common for child strollers, infant carriers, and car-seats(hereinafter “car-seats”) to include various components to help protecta seated infant or child (hereinafter “child”) from local environmentalfactors, such as sunlight, wind and even rain, which, if left unabatedcan easily injure the seated child, or at least likely cause discomfort.

Most of today's commercially available devices used to transport achild, including car-seats and strollers, include a selectivelydeployable visor, hood, or sunshade (hereinafter “sunshade”), which isusually made up of a hood-shaped section of weather-proof fabric orplastic which is secured and supported by a series of curved semi-rigidmembers which mechanically interact with each other at common pivotpoints and collectively allow the secured hood to be deployed so thatthe head portion of the child can be covered.

An obvious limitation of this type of protective device is that only asmall portion of the child is protected and even that protection haslimited effectiveness because the sunshade can only be deployed along asingle line of movement.

It is common for parents to drape a towel or blanket over the deployedsunshade of the car-seat or stroller to help block sunlight and windfrom breaching the semi-rigid hood structure and reaching the seatedchild. Although the intentions are honorable, this method ofshanty-protection is fraught with problems and can even be dangerous tothe child. The towel or blanket rarely stays where it should, oftenshifting in the wind, and can easily fall into the child compartment,possibly covering the child's face and causing inadvertent injury to thechild.

Thus, there is a need for a cover, beyond existing sunshades, which willshield an infant from the glare of the sun and other environmentalfactors while traveling in a car, or traveling while strolling.

Yet another problem common when parents travel with a child, either in astroller in an automobile with a car-seat, is the existence of flies andother insects which may disturb the child, either by entering thestroller area where the child is seated or by entering the automobile ifa window is left open. Flies or other insects can often carry diseaseswhich can harm the child. Most sunshades which are commonly available onthe market, however, provide no protection to the child from suchinsects. Additionally, other insects such as wasps and bees may stingthe child and may cause serious health problems if the child is allergicto bee stings or wasp stings.

Still another concern with child car-seats is that the child is notprotected from the wind or precipitation during the process of removingthe child, in the car-seat, from the car. While within a car, a childwill generally not be tightly bundled in a blanket or have a coat on dueto the concerns of the child overheating. However, as soon as thevehicle stops and the door is open, the child is subject to coldweather, rain, snow, etc. Thus, it is desirable to have a cover for aninfant carrier which will protect the child from the elements withoutthe need for dressing and undressing the child every time the child ismoved into and out of the vehicle.

Still another concern for parents of young children is unwantedtouching. Often strangers or friends will approach a child and play withthe child's hands or face. While the strangers, etc., are generally wellmeaning, any germs on their hands will be communicated to the child.When the child places his hands in his mouth, the germs will beingested. A well meaning stranger or friend can readily communicate acold, the flu, or other infections to the child. Thus, it is desirableto provide a cover which inhibits the ability of others to touch thechild without the express consent of the parent.

Still yet another concern which is common for parents of a child whileriding in a car seat is that the child may easily become bored and beginto cry. Numerous accidents have been caused by a driver attempting tolook at or touch a child to calm them when agitated. While a child canoften be entertained with various toys, an uncovered child car-seatallows the toy to fall or be thrown from the carrier. To return the toyto the car-seat, the driver must usually take his or her eyes off theroad, thereby increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Numerous attempts have been made to protect a child from the sun and tootherwise provide entertainment to the child. One common device forshielding children from sun is a small round sun screen which sticks toa window. However, each screen only blocks the sun from one direction.When the vehicle changes direction, the sun's direct rays come throughthe window from a different location or from a different windowaltogether. Not only does the sun screen not work at keeping the sun outof the child's eyes, it obstructs the driver's view somewhat and has tobe removed altogether at night.

One such prior art invention exists is U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,490 ofMortenson. This patent discloses a device that claims to protect aninfant from weather and insects while the infant is seated in any typeof infant carrier. Unfortunately, this device requires the use of handleof the infant carrier to support the carrier cover and form a tent overthe carrier. One main disadvantage to this type of cover is that itcannot be used in a moving vehicle as the manufacturers of infantcarriers suggest the handle be locked in place in the horizontalposition behind the carrier. Therefore, it provides limited protectionfrom the sun or insects while in a moving vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,639 of Jaime incorporates the use of dual sun shadedevices which attach to the U-shaped handle. This device also requiresthe use of the U-shaped handle for attachment of the sun visor and onlycovers half of the carrier allowing incomplete sun protection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,674 of Franc does not require the use of theU-shaped carrier handle and could thus be used in a moving vehicle.However, its use appears to be dependent upon fasteners which must beattached to the carrier cover by the consumer. It is also a singlefunction device. It does not protect against precipitation, wind orinsects.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,999 of Thompson et al. discloses a sun shade for usewith a baby car-seat. However, the Thompson et al. device is impracticalbecause it consists of a complex support structure which is positionedbetween the sun and the baby. In a moving vehicle, the Thompson et al.device would require continuous adjustment to keep the sun shadeproperly positioned as the car changes direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,231 of Smith discloses a sunshade apparatus that mayrequire a seat equipped with a U-shaped handle. However, the Smithpatent appears to only address sun protection, and when installed on theseat, the sunshade partially blocks the grip area of the handle. Partialblocking of the handle does not appear to allow for the sunshade's useon several type handle equipped automatic swing and glider seats.Several manufacturers' seat and carrier designs allow the handle to befolded below the seat to vary the seat's angle relative to a supportingsurface. When a handle is used below the seat, a handle attachment of asunshade or cover is not convenient.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,883 of Mayo discloses a sunshade apparatus thataddresses protection against sun for a seated baby by providing a wraparound channel of photochromic material mounted between the baby and thesun. The Mayo apparatus appears complex, bulky, and seems to addressonly sun protection.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,339,527 of Speriling et al. shows a collapsible screenfor baby carriages which has sideflaps and is rollably stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,412,935 of Greenebaum shows a baby carriage screen asfoot and head portions which are attached to the handle in the middle ofthe carriage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,915 of Anderson et al. describes a sun shieldassembly for detachable attachment to an infant's seat, comprising apair of mounting brackets and a hood, which is mountable in thebrackets, having a top wall and opposed side walls. The hood is made ofa resilient material.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,385 of Koenig relates to an inflatable cushioningdevice having a first end adapted for attachment to the infant car seatbehind the infant's head and to a seat in front of the infant, includingsideflaps extending sufficiently downward from the portion just abovethe infant's head to protect the infant from strong sunlight andexcessive heat. The cushioning device is preferably formed of a flexibleplastic material of a color sufficiently dark to absorb an appreciableportion of sunlight incident thereon, thereby protecting the child fromexposure to sunlight and resultant discomfort from excessive heat.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,779 of Myers shows a sun shade and protectivecushion device for use with a conventional automobile child seat. Thesun shade comprises a flexible sheet-like canopy which is generallyhorizontal in use and has a pocket formed at a first end for fittingover the top of the back of the infant's car seat and a means at asecond end, opposite to the first end, for stretchably anchoring thecanopy to a part of the car's interior that is spaced apart from theinfant's car seat. A pair of side flaps also may extend along oppositesides of the canopy and be either in a raised position, flat atop thecanopy, or in a generally downwardly lowered position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,030 of Lewis describes a shade for use with infantsand children car seats and the like having a seat and back member thatfits into the seat and accommodates strap restraints and a hood thatattaches to the seat and back member to project as a canopy from a backportion of the seat and back member. The device has a two-partconstruction including a flexible seat and back with connection meansfor the hood and pass-through openings for seat restraints.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,770 of Hassel, Jr. discloses a sun shield for achild's car seat which “consists of a single flat piece of pre-cut firmbendable material having a roof segment, a pair of side visor segments,a pair of support flap segments and a back segment, with a cut out gaparea between each support flap segment and the back segment.” Thebendable material is standard gauge corrugated cardboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,945 of Auperlee et al. describes a removable coverfor a car-seat to help protect the seat from sun exposure, but only whenthe seat is empty, such as when the car sits in a parking lot. The covercan be stowed in a pocket that is attached to the head-rest portion ofthe seat.

Although these prior art baby carriers provide several helpful features,there are additional problems that remain unsolved. Parents everywherewould benefit by a protective covering that, when deployed, protects aninfant or child from inclement weather and sunlight and debris and wind,yet allows a parent to easily monitor the infant through the covering.The protective cover should be rapidly deployable and be easilyfastened, and further should be easily and quickly stowable in such amanner that maintains the aesthetic qualities of the overall car-seat(or infant carrier) whenever the protective cover is not being used. Theprotective cover should also not interfere with any of the operationalcomponents of the infant carrier (or car-seat), in particular, thehandles.

In short, there is a need for a car-seat cover which protects a seatedinfant from sun, wind, inclement weather and insects both inside and outof a moving vehicle that is easy to manufacture and use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedcover for an infant carrier, car-seat, and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a coverwhich protects a child from sun, wind, inclement weather, fallingdebris, insects and other intrusions.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coverwhich can be used while a vehicle is in motion and which does notinterfere with proper mounting of a car-seat to its base.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide sucha cover that is quick and easy to deploy from a stowed position.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide integraland aesthetically-concealed stowing of the cover within a portion of thecar-seat when the cover is not in use.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by anall weather main sunshade and integrally provided sunshade extension.The main sunshade is pivotally secured to a portion of the car-seat andis selectively deployable. The main sunshade preferably includes atleast one curved semi-rigid member that supports a fabric material anddefining a front edge. A rear edge of the sunshade extension is securedalong the front edge of the main sunshade structure and is sized andshaped so that it may be selectively drawn forward, when the mainsunshade is fully deployed, and secured around a front portion of theinfant carrier or car-seat. In doing so, the sunshade extension remainstaut following the contours defined by the shape of the front edge ofthe main sunshade and the perimeter shape of the front edge of thecar-seat. An opposing front edge of the sunshade extension preferablyincludes an elastic band which assists in securing the sunshadeextension to the car-seat; in addition, this same opposing front edgepreferably includes mechanical fasteners such as snaps or buttons whichassist in securing the sunshade to the car-seat. Also provided along thefront edge of the main sunshade is a lip cover that is independentlydeployable a prescribed distance so that the sunshade extension may berolled and positioned along the front edge of the main sunshade andselectively concealed by forward movement of the lip cover. The lipcover is preferably formed integrally with the main sunshade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way ofexample, in reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a representative infant carriercar-seat showing a main sunshade having a forward lip cover, the mainsunshade being located in a partially stowed position with respect tothe infant carrier car-seat, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the infant carrier car-seat of FIG.1 showing the main sunshade in a deployed (upright) position, accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the main sunshade, showingdetails of a forward edge, a lip cover shown in a pulled-back positionrevealing an extension pocket and a sunshade extension panel in a rolledand stowed position within the extension pocket, according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 2showing deployment of the sunshade extension as a user pulls along afront edge of the sunshade extension, according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 2showing the main sunshade and the sunshade extension fully deployed,according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 a is a top view of the infant carrier of FIG. 2 wherein the mainsunshade is deployed and the sunshade extension remains stowed,according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 b is a top view of the infant carrier of FIG. 5 showing both themain sunshade and the sunshade extension fully deployed, according tothe present invention, wherein the sunshade extension conforms to theshape of the front edge of the infant carrier car-seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a representative car-seat (e.g., an infantcarrier) 10 is shown having a base 12 into which a child may sit and apivotally attached main sunshade 14. Main sunshade 14 is, in its basicfunction, somewhat conventional in that it includes at least 1, buttypically 3 or 4, curved semi-rigid members 16 (not clearly shown underthe fabric covering). The curved members 16 are pivotally attached toopposing sides of base 12 and support a fabric covering 18, defining arim 19. Fabric covering 18 is preferably made from a waterresistant/repellant textile material, such as canvas or a syntheticblend and is sufficiently flexible to allow free pivotal movement of thecurved member 16 between a stowed position, shown in FIG. 1 and adeployed position, as shown in FIG. 2. In use, a child seated incar-seat 10 may be somewhat protected from the environment by deployingthe main sunshade 14 to its deployed position (FIG. 2), or may be fullyaccessible by moving the sunshade 14 to its stowed position, perhapswhen placing or removing the child from the car seat 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, main sunshade 14 includes a rim cover 20 that ispreferably formed integrally with the fabric covering 18. Rim cover 20is sized and shaped to define a pocket or compartment 22, which, inturn, is sufficiently sized and shaped to accommodate the volume of asunshade extension 24. Sunshade extension 24 is a predetermined shapeand includes a rear secured edge 26 and a forward elastic edge 28.

Sunshade extension 24 is preferably made from a thin stretch fabric, butmay be made of non-stretch fabric. It may be made opaque, translucent orclear and may be made from an elastic mesh or a tighter weave, but ineither case, it should be breathable. Regardless, rear-secured edge 26of sunshade extension 24 is preferably secured to fabric covering 18 ofmain sunshade 14 within pocket 22. Sunshade extension 24 may be sewnpermanently to fabric covering 18 of main sunshade 14, or alternativelymay be secured to fabric covering 18 within pocket any appropriatefasteners such as snaps, Velcro (loop/hook fastener), clips, zippers,buttons, ties, and magnets.

Furthermore, rim cover 20 may be secured to a closed position, whensunshade extension 24 is stowed within pocket 22, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, using a variety of fasteners, including snaps, Velcro (loop/hookfastener), clips, zippers, buttons, ties, and magnets.

As shown in FIG. 4, sunshade extension 24 may be selectively deployed(unrolled) from its stowed position within pocket 22 to a fully extendedposition, as shown in FIG. 5 by grasping forward elastic edge 28 ofsunshade extension 24 and positioning the elastic edge 28 around a frontedge 30 of base 12. Sunshade extension 24 is sized and shaped to createa spring-tight fit when fully deployed and secured to front edge 30 sothat the elastic sunshade extension 24 conforms to the shapes defined bythe rim 19 of main sunshade 14 and the shape of the front edge 28 ofbase 12, creating a tent-like structure in which a child may comfortablyand safely reside. In other words, the fabric panel that makes up thesunshade extension 24 is smaller than its coverage area and must bestretched in order to secure to its intended location. The coverage ofsunshade extension 24 is independent of the geometry of the mainsunshade 14 and can therefore conform to the shape of the object (suchas base 12) to which it extends and effectively envelopes.

Since the sunshade extension 24 includes forward elastic edge 28, it isself fitting and requires no additional fasteners. It is quickly andeasily deployed from pocket 22 and secured about base 12, and since itnormally resides within pocket 22, it will always be readily availablewhen needed, but is normally hidden from view when stowed so that itdoes not otherwise detract from the overall appearance of the car seat.Also, rim cover 20 protects sunshade extension 24 when it is in thestowed position.

According to another embodiment of this invention, instead of sunshadeextension 24 being mechanically secured to rim 19 of main sunshade 14,it may alternatively be secured to the side portions of base 12 or thefront edge 30.

In use, when needed, a user may easily access pocket 22 by moving backrim cover 20 (first unfastening any fasteners used to secure rim coverclosed) and thereafter unrolling or deploying the stowed sunshadeextension 24 so that its front edge 28 may be grasped. The user thensimply pulls the elastic front edge 28 of the sunshade extension 24forward so that it extends around the front edge 30 of base 12. The userthen releases the elastic edge so that it draws back tightly against thefront edge of base 12.

Once in place, sunshade extension 24 keeps inclement weather, sunlight,wind, and even insects from disturbing the child. And, because the childis totally enclosed in his/her own little protective shell, he/she isnot easily accessible to touching by strangers or other well meaningpeople. Thus, people (and animals) can easily “look but not touch.”

1) A sunshade system for use with a car-seat of the type including abase having a forward edge and defining a seat into which a child maysit, and a selectively deployable primary sunshade structure, saidprimary sunshade structure having a forward edge and being pivotallyattached to said base and selectively deployable between an openposition wherein a head portion of a seated child is exposed to thesurrounding elements, and a covering position, wherein the head portionof the seated child is covered and protected from surrounding elements,said sunshade system comprising: a secondary sunshade having a rear edgethat is secured to said forward edge of said primary sunshade structureand an elastic front edge, said secondary sunshade being sized andshaped to selectively be movable between a usable position wherein saidsecondary sunshade extends across a majority of said seated child and astowed position, wherein said secondary sunshade is selectivelypositioned adjacent to said forward edge of said primary sunshadestructure. 2) The sunshade system, according to claim 1, furthercomprising a rim cover secured to said primary sunshade adjacent saidrim, said rim cover being sized and shaped to cover and protect saidsecondary sunshade when it is in said stowed position. 3) The sunshadesystem, according to claim 1, wherein said secondary sunshade is adaptedto selectively secure to said forward edge of said base so that saidsecondary sunshade extends between said rim of said main sunshade andsaid forward edge of said base, thereby covering said seat of saidcar-seat. 4) The sunshade system, according to claim 1, wherein saidprimary sunshade is made from a water-proof, flexible material. 5) Thesunshade system, according to claim 1, wherein said secondary sunshadeis made from a flexible elastic woven material. 6) The sunshade system,according to claim 5, wherein said secondary sunshade is further madefrom an opaque material. 7) The sunshade system, according to claim 5,wherein said secondary sunshade is further made from a translucentmaterial. 8) The sunshade system, according to claim 1, wherein saidsecondary sunshade is permanently secured to said rim of said primarysunshade. 9) The sunshade system, according to claim 1, wherein saidsecondary sunshade is selectively removably secured to said rim of saidprimary sunshade using a loop and hook fastener. 10) The sunshadesystem, according to claim 1, wherein said secondary sunshade isselectively removably secured to said rim of said primary sunshade usingat least one mechanical snap fastener. 11) The sunshade system,according to claim 1, wherein said secondary sunshade is selectivelyremovably secured to said rim of said primary sunshade using at leastone button-type fastener. 12) The sunshade system, according to claim 1,wherein said secondary sunshade is selectively removably secured to saidrim of said primary sunshade using a zipper-type fastener. 13) Thesunshade system, according to claim 1, wherein said secondary sunshadeis selectively removably secured to said forward edge of said base usinga loop and hook fastener. 14) The sunshade system, according to claim 1,wherein said secondary sunshade is selectively removably secured to saidforward edge of said base using at least one mechanical snap fastener.15) The sunshade system, according to claim 1, wherein said secondarysunshade is selectively removably secured to said forward edge of saidbase using at least one button-type fastener. 16) The sunshade system,according to claim 1, wherein said secondary sunshade is selectivelyremovably secured to said forward edge of said base using a zipper-typefastener.